Press Releases

New Year Pitta Cutting 2019

The International Propeller Club of the U.S., International Port of Piraeus, held its traditional Annual Pitta-Cake-Cutting for 2019 at the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, 26th January 2019.

The New Year Pitta Cutting Ceremony of The Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus during which each year, scholarships are awarded to meritorious students of Maritime Academies, Universities and Colleges in conjunction to donations extended to renowned foundations, was very well attended by over 190 distinguished guests.

The President, Mr. George Xiradakis and the members of the Board of Governors welcomed the Honorary President of the Propeller Club, H.E. The Ambassador of the U.S. Embassy to Greece, Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, along with his wife, Mrs. Mary D. Pyatt.

Honored with their presence, Mr. George Pateras, President of the Hellenic Chamber, the President of the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association, Mr. Antonis Stelliatos, the President of Epirotiki Lines, Mr. Andreas Potamianos, the President of the Fraternity of Athenian Hydriots, Mr. John Sahinis, the Board Member of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Alexandros Costopoulos, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis and Mr. Giorgos Koumoutsakos from ‘Nea Dimokratia’ party.

Following the video “It’s in Our DNA” that commenced the ceremony, the President, Mr. Xiradakis thanked everyone for being present and highlighted throughout his speech, the importance of such an event as sponsorships and donations are offered to various philanthropic or educational institutions in order to meet their needs and continue their valuable mission. He also stated, that via the scholarships that the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus is awarding, it achieves one of the main goals of the Club; that is to reward and promote the excellence in the shipping sector and industry.

Having concluded his speech, Mr. Xiradakis, granted the donations and scholarships to the following institutions:

1.The Donation to ELEPAP was received by Ms. Marianna Moschou, President of ELEPAP.

2.The Donation to “HAMOGELO TOU PAIDIOU” was received by Mr. Kostas Yannopoulos, President of the Foundation.

Following the scholarships, Father Damaskinos blessed the New Year Vasilopita and the guests enjoyed their pitta. The three winners who won the New Year Charm, a kind offer by ‘Katramopoulos Jewelry’, were a 7-year-old girl Ms. E. Bissia, a student from the Marketing Department of the American College, Deree, Mrs. Silia and one charm won the Propeller Club.

Representatives from various educational institutions participated at the event; Dr. David Horner, President of the American College of Greece-Deree College along with his wife Dr. Sue Horner, Mr. Aggelos Pandouvakis, President of Maritime Studies of the University of Piraeus, Mr. Seraphim Kapros, President at the Department of Shipping of the University of the Aegean, Ms. Rodokleia Moundoula, Principal of Livaneio lyceum Kardamyla, Chios, Mr. Spyros Vougious, Director of Shipping Programs, ALBA Graduate Business School, Mr. George Vakerlis, Principal of the Pierce College, Lyceum and Mr. Ioannis Kladas, Principal of the Pierce College, Gymnasium.

Traditional Greek Folk Dances from the Dance Team of the Pierce College with music and songs by the Music Group of the Deree College, under the guidance of the Dancing Professor, Mrs. Katerina Tsioufi and the Head of the Music Department, Mrs. Leslie Jones, respectively, were presented in front of a lively and applauding audience.

A cocktail reception followed where all the guests had the opportunity to talk and enjoy the delicious food.